Folding wallet packaging for confectionery products, more particularly bars or slabs of chewing gum

ABSTRACT

Packaging ( 10; 20; 30 ) for confectionery products, more particularly bars of chewing gum (G), having a folding configuration of the book or wallet type comprising at least two main parts ( 11; 12; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34 ) designed to be folded one in relation to the other around an intermediate zone of folding ( 15; 15′, 15 ″), between a closed or folded configuration (C) and an open configuration (C′) of the packaging ( 10 ), wherein each one of these two main folding parts ( 11, 12 ) is provided, along a respective internal surface ( 11   a,    12   a ), with at least one pocket or compartment ( 13, 14 ) containing a plurality of bars or slabs (G 1 , G 2 ) of chewing gum, and wherein these bars of chewing gum (G), contained in the two compartments ( 13, 14 ), are available and offered in two different formulations and/or flavours (G 1 , G 2 ), more particularly corresponding to the respective compartments ( 13, 14 ). The packaging ( 10 ) has the important advantage of offering for sale on the market a single product which allows the consumer to choose between several preferred flavours and/or formulations of bars of chewing gum.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the sector of packagings for confectionery products and more specifically concerns a folding packaging of the book or wallet type containing confectionery products, such as more particularly bars or slabs or similar shapes of chewing gum.

CURRENT STATE OF THE ART

The current market has, as anyone can easily ascertain, a numberless and vast range of packagings and containers for confectionery products, each one with its own peculiarities and features, more particularly linked both to the specific shape and type of the confectionery products or product contained in these packagings and containers, and to elements, of a more innately commercial nature, aimed at making the supply of these confectionery products, such as chocolates, sweets, sugar-coated confectionery and others, particularly attractive to consumers on the market.

Among these packagings mention is made, being related more directly to the field of the present invention, of those that are provided for containing chewing gum.

Naturally, also in this field of packagings and/or of containers for chewing gum, the market offers a vast range of packagings and/or containers, for example in the form of a tube, boxes of various shapes and forms, dispensers, and others.

The chewing gum is in turn packaged and offered on the market, by means of these packagings and containers, in a multiplicity of forms, for example sugar-coated gums, bars, slabs, sweets, and others, just as it can be present and available in these packagings and containers in various ways, for example loose or ordered in respective compartments or cells.

In general the packagings and containers for chewing gum, currently on sale and offered on the market, contain chewing gum of a single formulation or flavour, where instead chewing gum, leaving aside the forms of consumption wherein it is offered, i.e. sugar-coated gums, bars, pastilles, slabs, sweets, etc., is notoriously produced in various formulations and flavours, for example mint, lemon, liquorice and strawberry, with the addition of fluorine, vitamins, mineral salts, etc., in order to meet the desires of the consumer halfway and satisfy the various needs and preferences of consumers for flavour of consumers.

In other words the packagings of chewing gum currently offered and on sale on the market usually contain one and only one formulation or one and only one flavour of chewing gum, whatever form of its consumption is foreseen, i.e. slabs, sugar-coated gums, sweets, etc.

Therefore the consumer, when buying one of these packagings of chewing gum currently present on the market, in fact has available and can make use of one single formulation or one single flavour of chewing gum.

Also known for some time are packagings and in general containers, for consumer products, which have a folding configuration of the so-called book or wallet type, i.e. comprising at least two parts in the form of panels and the like which are connected along a zone or line of folding and are designed to be folded one in relation to the other.

In detail, these wallet packagings and containers of the known type are provided to contain and house consumer products, such as for example tissues or pharmaceutical pills, in respective seats and/or pockets and/or in general housings which are defined in each of the two folding panels or sheets or parts of the packaging.

During use the consumer opens the wallet packaging so as to access the seats and housings defined by the two folding parts and then take out the product contained in them, for example, in the case of tissues, through slots associated with these housings.

By way of an example some of these wallet packagings, containing specifically tissues, are described in the patent documents WO 2008/026190 A2 and WO 2008/026098 A2.

In any case these folding wallet packagings, although very practical and convenient and therefore having achieved a certain commercial success, more particularly in the sector of disposable tissues, refer to a market and meet needs which are considerably different from those of the packaging and supply on the market of confectionery products, and furthermore they are distanced from the field of packaging of a specific confectionery product such as chewing gum.

By now analysing the market for chewing gum and the respective products on sale currently proposed thereon, according to what is described in brief above, the Applicant Perfetti Van Melle spa has perceived how the availability of a single formulation or flavour in the packagings of chewing gum, currently offered for sale on the market, in fact limits the possibilities of choice of the consumer, where instead the availability of several formulations or flavours of chewing gum in a single packaging on sale could considerably extend these possibilities of choice and therefore meet the aspirations of the consumer halfway, and at the same time represent an important element for determining the commercial success of the product on the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore a first object of the present invention is to propose a packaging for confectionery products, and more particularly for chewing gum, which meets the needs mentioned above halfway, i.e. is such as to extend the possibilities of choice of the consumer, at the same time avoiding for the latter certain inconveniences, frequently also not clearly perceived, such as for example that of having to purchase two or more packagings of chewing gum of different formulations and/or flavours, when the consumer usually prefers to consume and alternate chewing gum of different formulations and/or flavours.

Another object of the present invention is also that of promoting and further improving the supply on the market of the specific chewing gum product, also taking account of the foreseeable and future evolution of this market towards an increasingly higher number of alternatives and of flavours, in order to meet the increasingly varied and complex needs of consumers.

A further object of the present invention is also to propose a packaging of bars or slabs of chewing gum of several flavours which, in addition to being practical and convenient to use by the consumer, can be produced industrially in a simple manner and with low costs.

These objects are fully achieved by the folding packaging for confectionery products, more particularly chewing gum, which has the features defined by the main independent claim 1.

Particular and advantageous embodiments of the invention are also defined by the dependent claims.

The packaging for chewing gum in accordance with the present invention is associated with numerous advantages, partly already implicitly mentioned previously, among which the following are repeated:

-   -   the availability on the market of a single product which gives         the consumer a wider possibility of choice between the various         preferred flavours and formulations of chewing gum which the         consumer usually consumes;     -   greater convenience and practicality of use, in the sense that         the consumer used to consuming chewing gum of different flavours         and formulation no longer has to purchase and carry along         numerous packagings of chewing gum, but only has to purchase one         where he or she can find his or her favourite flavours and         formulations of chewing gum;     -   low cost of packaging and therefore a lower cost of the product         to the consumer, with the same number of formulations and         flavours of chewing gum offered for sale.

A further advantage of the present invention is that of making, once the packaging has been opened, a plurality of compartments equally and easily accessible to the consumer, for the greatest possible ease of choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer and more evident by the following description of one of its preferred embodiments, given by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a folding packaging containing chewing gum, in accordance with the present invention, in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view, from an opposite viewpoint, of the open folding packaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the folding packaging of FIG. 1, in the open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a third perspective view of the folding packaging of FIG. 1, in a closed or folded configuration;

FIG. 5 is a view from above of the folding packaging of FIG. 4, in the closed configuration, with a raised covering sheet;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view, with a portion in schematic form, of a first variant, with three compartments, of the folding packaging of FIG. 1, for chewing gum, in an open configuration;

FIG. 6B is a schematic view from above of the first variant, with three compartments, of FIG. 6A, in a closed or folded configuration; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B show schematically in a perspective form and from above a second variant, with four compartments, of the folding packaging of FIG. 1, for chewing gum, in an open configuration and in a closed or folded configuration respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a packaging, containing confectionery products and made in accordance with the present invention, is denoted overall by 10.

More particularly the confectionery products contained in the packaging 10 are made up of a plurality of single pieces, elongated in shape, such as bars, slabs or similar forms, of chewing gum, denoted in general by G, while the single bars or slabs of chewing gum are denoted by G1 and G2.

The packaging 10 has a typical folding configuration of the so-called book or wallet type in turn defined by a container comprising two main parts, by 11 and 12, folded from a sheet or panel or the like, wherein these two main parts 11 and 12 are connected one to the other along an intermediate zone of folding 15 and each has a respective internal surface 11 a and 12 a, and a respective external surface 11 b and 12 b.

These two parts 11 and 12 are foldable one in relation to the other around the zone of folding 15 between a closed or folded configuration of the packaging 10, denoted by C and shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the internal surfaces 11 a and 12 a of the two parts 11 and 12 are facing and in contact one with the other, and an open configuration, denoted by C′ and shown in FIGS. 1-3, of the same packaging 10, wherein the internal surfaces 11 a and 12 a are distanced one from the other in order to allow access by the consumer to the bars of chewing gum contained in the packaging 10.

According to a salient feature of the present invention, each one of the two folding parts 11, 12 of the packaging 10 is provided, along the respective internal surface 11 a, 12 a, with at least one pocket or compartment, denoted respectively by 13 and 14, which contain the confectionery product, i.e. the bars of chewing gum, so that the packaging 10 has at least two compartments or pockets for the bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum, each one corresponding to a respective folding part. The zone of folding 15 has a width dimension extending between the two parts 11, 12 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of the pockets or compartments 13 and 14 on either side of it.

More particularly, as shown in the drawings, each one of the two folding parts 11 and 12 is associated with a single compartment, respectively 13 and 14, containing the bars of chewing gum, yet it is clear however that each of the two folding parts can define and be provided with several compartments, without thereby departing from the sphere of the present invention.

Moreover, according to another salient feature of the present invention, the confectionery product, i.e. the bars of chewing gum, which are contained and housed in these two compartments 13, 14, are available and offered in at least two different formulations, and more particularly in two different flavours or combinations of flavours corresponding to the bars G1 contained in the first compartment 13 and to the bars G2 contained in the second compartment 14.

For example the first compartment 13 provided in the first part 11 contains a plurality of bars or slabs G1 of chewing gum with a first flavour such as lemon, orange or another flavour, while the second compartment 14, provided in the second part 12, contains a plurality of bars or slabs G2 of chewing gum with a second flavour such as mint or liquorice flavour, or other flavours, different from those of the bars or slabs G1 contained in the first compartment 13.

In brief, exemplifying the concept of the present invention, the packaging 10 is characterised by a folding configuration of the book or wallet type with two parts or folding sheets which contain in at least two respective compartments at least two types of bars of chewing gum, more particularly of at least two different flavours.

The two folding parts 11 and 12 have substantially the same extent and shape, typically rectangular, so that, once folded in the closed configuration C of the packaging 10, they are completely superimposed one on the other along the respective internal surfaces 11 a and 12 a, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The folding wallet configuration of the packaging 10 is made from a single starting sheet, for example of card, appropriately shaped, and by folding successively specific portions of this single starting sheet so as to obtain the two main parts 11 and 12 with the respective compartments 13 and 14 intended to contain the bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum G.

More particularly each one of the two compartments 13 and 14, provided in the two folding parts 11 and 12 and containing the two different types G1 and G2 of bars of chewing gum, is formed by a folded front flap denoted respectively by 13 a and 14 a, and a folded side flap denoted respectively by 13 b and 14 b, which all extend parallel to a panel in the sheet which defines the external surface 11 b, 12 b of the corresponding folding part 11, 12. The front flaps 13 a and 14 a are connected to the panels which define the external surfaces 11 b, 12 b along respective bottom zones of folding 15 a and 15 b. The side flaps 13 b and 14 b are connected to the panels which define the external surfaces 11 b, 12 b along respective side zones of folding 15 a′ and 15 b′, which are perpendicular to the bottom zones of folding 15 a and 15 b, respectively.

The side flaps 13 b, 14 b are provided only at the outer side edges of the packaging 10, and prevent the chewing gum G from falling out the sides of the compartments 13, 14.

Moreover these front flaps 13 a and 14 a have a length substantially equal to and a smaller height, defined by a respective edge 13 a′ and 14 a′, than that of the panel which defines the external surface 11 b, 12 b of the corresponding folding part 11, 12.

The various bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum have an elongated shape and are arranged in a vertical direction in the respective compartments 13, 14 so as to project at least partially from the latter, and therefore to be easily removable from the respective compartments in the open configuration C′ of the packaging 10.

The packaging 10 further comprises a folding covering flap, denoted by 17 and connected to one of the parts (for example, the first part 11) along a zone of folding 18, which is perpendicular to the zone of folding 15, wherein the zone of folding 18 has a depth dimension extending between the folding covering flap 17 and the part 11 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of the pockets or compartments 13 and 14, and wherein this covering flap 17 is provided to cover stably the two parts 11 and 12 folded one on the other in the closed configuration C of the packaging 10.

For this purpose, in this closed configuration C, the covering flap 17 is folded and inserted in a corresponding slot 19 formed on the external surface 12 b of the other part 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

It is therefore clear, from what is described, that the present invention achieves in full the objectives that had been set, and more particularly proposes a packaging for confectionery products, more particularly containing a plurality of bars of chewing gum, which offers the consumer a wider choice between his or her preferred formulations and the flavours of bars which he or she usually consumes.

Without detriment to the basic concepts of the present invention, it is also clear that changes, modifications and improvements can be made to the packaging described hitherto for confectionery products, consisting more particularly of bars of chewing gum, without thereby departing from the sphere of the same invention.

For example, according to a first variant denoted by 20 and shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the packaging containing the bars of chewing gum G can comprise three folding parts, denoted respectively by 21, 22 and 23, instead of two like the packaging 10, wherein the part 22 is placed between the two end folding parts 21 and 23.

More particularly these folding parts 21, 22 and 23 are connected in pairs along two intermediate zones of folding 15 and 15′, are foldable one in relation to the other around these zones of folding 15 and 15′ and define each one a respective compartment, 24, 25 and 26, containing a plurality of bars of chewing gum, wherein these bars of chewing gum contained in the compartments 24, 25 and 26 are available in three different flavours or formulations, denoted by G1, G2, and G3, corresponding respectively to the three compartments 24, 25 and 26.

The zones of folding 15 and 15′ are dimensioned to allow the folding parts 21, 22 and 23 to fold into a book or wallet. That is, one of the zones of folding, in this example 15′, has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 22, 23 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of their respective pockets or compartments 25, 26; and the other of the zones of folding, in this example 15, has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 21, 22 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of all three of the pockets or compartments 24, 25, 26.

Similarly to the packaging 10, also in the packaging 20 a folding covering flap 27, is connected along an intermediate zone of folding 28 to one of the two folding parts which in the closed configuration of the packaging 20 is on the outside, for example 21, to cover the three parts 21, 22 and 23, in the closed configuration of the packaging 20. In this closed configuration C, the covering flap 27 is inserted in a corresponding slot (not shown) formed on the external surface of the other outside part 22.

The zone of folding 28 has a dimension extending between the covering flap 27 and the folding part 21 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of all three of the pockets or compartments 24, 25, 26 when the packaging 20 is in the closed configuration.

It will be appreciated that the width dimensions of the zones of folding 15, 15′ determine the order in which the folding parts 21, 22, 23 are folded; and thus, which of the folding parts 21, 22, 23 are on the outside when the packaging 20 is in the closed configuration. It will also be appreciated that the covering flap 27 can be connected to either one of the folding parts 21, 22, 23 which is on the outside when the packaging 20 is in the closed configuration, and that the corresponding slot for receiving the covering flap 27 is formed on the other of the folding parts 21, 22, 23 which is on the outside.

Moreover, to complete the information, FIGS. 7A and 7B show a further variant, denoted by 30, of the packaging which is the object of the present invention, comprising four folding parts 31, 32, 33 and 34 each one defining a respective compartment 35, 36, 37 and 38, wherein each of these compartments in turn contains a specific type or flavour of bars of chewing gum C.

Therefore in this case the packaging 30 contains four formulations or flavours of bars, denoted by G1, G2, G3 and G4, of chewing gum G, which are available to be selected and consumed by the consumer in the respective four compartments 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the packaging 30.

The folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are connected in pairs along three intermediate zones of folding 15, 15′, 15″, and are foldable one in relation to the other around these zones of folding 15, 15′, 15″. The zones of folding 15, 15′, 15″ are dimensioned to allow the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 to fold into a book or wallet. That is, one of the zones of folding, in this example 15′, has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 33, 34 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of their respective pockets or compartments 33, 34; the second of the zones of folding, in this example 15″, has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 32, 33 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of the three the pockets or compartments 32, 33, 34 which are adjacent the zones of folding 15′ and 15″; and the last of the zones of folding, in this example 15, has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 31, 32 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of all four of the pockets or compartments 31, 32, 33, 34.

Here too a folding covering flap 39 is connected along an intermediate zone of folding 38 to one of the two folding parts which in the closed configuration of the packaging 30 is on the outside, in this example 31, to cover stably the reciprocally folding parts 31, 32, 33 and 34 in the closed configuration of the packaging 30. In this closed configuration C, the covering flap 37 is inserted in a corresponding slot (not shown) formed on the external surface of the other outside part 32. The zone of folding 38 has a depth dimension extending between the covering flap 37 and the folding part 31 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of all four of the pockets or compartments 34, 35, 36, 37 when the packaging 30 is in the closed configuration.

It will again be appreciated that the width dimensions of the zones of folding 15, 15′, 15″ determine the order in which the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are folded; and thus, which of the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are on the outside when the packaging 30 is in the closed configuration. It will also gain be appreciated that the covering flap 37 can be connected to either one of the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 which is on the outside when the packaging 30 is in the closed configuration, and that the corresponding slot for receiving the covering flap 37 is formed on the other of the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 which is on the outside.

Moreover the distinctive features which define the different types of bars or slabs of chewing gum which are contained in the various compartments of the packaging 10, 20 and 30, can be different from or complementary in relation to the flavour, and for example comprise the colour and/or the design of the wrapping of the bars, or the actual shape of the bars or of the slabs of chewing gum, so that the consumer, on the basis of these distinctive features, can easily recognise and identify the type of bars of chewing gum which he or she wishes to consume. 

1. Packaging (10; 20; 30) for confectionery products in the form of bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G), having a folding configuration of the book or wallet type, comprising: at least two parts (11; 12; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) connected one to the other along an intermediate zone of folding (15; 15′, 15″) and defining each one a respective internal surface (11 a, 12 a) and a respective external surface (11 b, 12 b), said at least two parts (11; 12; 21, 22, 23) being foldable one in relation to the other around said zone of folding (15; 15′, 15″) between a closed or folded configuration (C) of said packaging (10), wherein the internal surfaces (11 a, 12 a) of said at least two parts (11, 12) are facing one in respect of the other, and an open configuration (C) of said packaging (10), wherein said two parts (11, 12) and the respective internal surfaces (11 a, 12 a) are distanced one from the other in order to allow access to said bars or slabs of chewing gum (G1, G2), wherein each one of said two parts (11, 12) is provided, along the respective internal surface (11 a, 12 a) with at least one pocket or compartment (13, 14) containing said bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G), and wherein said bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G), contained in these compartments (13, 14), are available and offered in at least two different formulations, more particularly flavours (G1, G2), each one corresponding to a respective compartment (13, 14).
 2. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 1, wherein each one of said at least two folding parts (11, 12) is provided with one single compartment (13, 14) containing a corresponding and specific type or flavour (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing gum.
 3. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 1, wherein said at least two folding parts (11, 12) have substantially the same shape and extension, so that, once folded in said closed configuration (C), they are completely superimposed one on the other along the respective internal surfaces (11 a, 12 a).
 4. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 3, wherein said two parts (11, 12) both have a rectangular shape.
 5. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 2, wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said two folding parts (11, 12) and containing two different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing gum (G), are formed by a folded panel (13 a, 14 a) having a substantially equal length and a height smaller than that of a panel which extends along the external surface (11 b, 12 b) of the corresponding folding part (11, 12).
 6. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according to claim 5, wherein said bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G), contained in said compartments (13, 14), have an elongated shape of such length that they project at least partially from the respective compartments (13, 14).
 7. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according claim 1, further comprising a folding cover flap (17) suitable for covering said two parts (11, 12) in the closed configuration (C) of said packaging (10).
 8. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according claim 1, wherein the packaging is made from a single starting sheet and by folding successively specific portions, appropriately shaped, of said single sheet, so as to obtain said parts (11, 12) and the respective compartments (13, 14) suitable for containing the bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G).
 9. Packaging (20, 30) for confectionery products (G) according to claim 1, comprising at least three parts (21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) reciprocally folding one on the other and each one provided with at least one pocket or compartment (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37, 38), wherein the compartments (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37, 38) provided in said three folding parts (21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) contain three different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2, G3; G1, G2, G3, G4) of bars or slabs of chewing gum corresponding to said compartments (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37, 38).
 10. Packaging (10, 20, 30) for confectionery products (G) according to claim 1, wherein the distinctive features which define the different types of bars or slabs of chewing gum contained in the various compartments of said packaging (10, 20, 30) comprise the colour and/or the design of the wrapping of the bars and/or the actual shape of said bars or slabs of chewing gum.
 11. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 2, wherein said at least two folding parts (11, 12) have substantially the same shape and extension, so that, once folded in said closed configuration (C), they are completely superimposed one on the other along the respective internal surfaces (11 a, 12 a).
 12. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to any one of claim 3, wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said two folding parts (11, 12) and containing two different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing gum (G), are formed by a folded panel (13 a, 14 a) having a substantially equal length and a height smaller than that of a panel which extends along the external surface (11 b, 12 b) of the corresponding folding part (11, 12).
 13. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to any one of claim 4, wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said two folding parts (11, 12) and containing two different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing gum (G), are formed by a folded panel (13 a, 14 a) having a substantially equal length and a height smaller than that of a panel which extends along the external surface (11 b, 12 b) of the corresponding folding part (11, 12). 